In a rare interview with Israeli media, former Iranian officers Javad and Arash express criticism towards the Islamic Republic and skepticism about Hamas and Hezbollah’s recovery. They highlight issues such as regime corruption, the shifting dynamics within Iran’s military, and demonstrate a surprising support for Israeli action against the Iranian leadership, revealing deeper discontent within the regime’s ranks.
In a rare interview conducted by Israeli media outlet N12, several former Iranian officers have publicly criticized the Islamic Republic regime and expressed skepticism regarding the recovery of Hamas and Hezbollah. Javad, a former operative of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), recounted his experiences in suppressing protests and his recruitment into the Basij militia, highlighting the regime’s inadequate response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July last year. He remarked, “It was an incredibly precise intelligence operation,” indicating the depth of Israeli intelligence within the IRGC.
Following Haniyeh’s assassination, Javad noted that Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was similarly eliminated, further exacerbating Tehran’s losses, particularly in Syria where the regime’s influence has notably diminished. He stated, “The IRGC lost one of its strongest fronts in Syria,” emphasizing the substantial blow this represented for Iranian interests. The former officer articulated how both Hamas and Hezbollah are now vulnerable, leading the IRGC to redirect efforts through operations in Yemen.
Javad, who had previously supported the regime, cited rampant corruption as a contributing factor to his changed perspective: “Corruption in Iran has doubled. People are starting to wake up.” He recounted an incident where a fellow Revolutionary Guard jokingly remarked, “Death to Palestine,” demonstrating the changing attitudes among some within the IRGC. His disillusionment reached a peak after he experienced persecution and loss of status due to internal betrayal, which ultimately shattered his faith in the Islamic Revolution.
Another ex-officer, Arash, a former lieutenant colonel in the Iranian Air Force, provided insights into Iran’s military divisions. He explained the growing rift between the IRGC and the regular army, which is gradually losing resources while expressing an increasing willingness to challenge the regime. He warned, “If another attack happens, it could spark open conflict between the IRGC and the army” due to escalating tensions following Israeli airstrikes.
Both Javad and Arash supported Israeli actions against the Iranian leadership, believing that such strikes might provoke a popular uprising among the Iranian populace. Javad acknowledged that the widespread sentiment among Iranians welcomes attacks on IRGC assets, stating, “95% of Iranians were happy when Israel struck those sites,” while Arash urged for target operations against key regime figures, claiming, “People want Israel to go even further.” Their testimonies indicate that discontent within Iran’s military might be more extensive than is generally understood, highlighting a potential fracture in support for the regime.
The interviews with former Iranian military officers reveal significant dissatisfaction with the Islamic Republic’s regime and its military capabilities. Javad and Arash illustrate the growing divide within Iran’s military ranks, highlighting both the widespread disillusionment and the hope for external intervention by Israel to facilitate regime change. Their statements underscore the fragility of the Islamic Republic’s hold over its military and suggest a potential shift in Iranian public sentiment against the current regime.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
